Graf von Faber-Castell Honors the Aztecs

Pen of the Year 2022: Aztecs is inspired by the history, mythology, and precious objects of the ancient Central American civilization.

- SUZANNE C. LEE

The new Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2022: Aztecs fountain pen is inspired by the history and mythology of the ancient Aztec civilization of Central America.

Every year, Graf von Faber-Castell releases a Pen of the Year, which pays tribute to certain eras or peoples fundamental to our understanding of the world. The Pen of the Year 2022 honors the Aztec civilization, a Mesoamerican culture that emerged in what is now central Mexico and was the dominant power in the region from about 1300-1521. The beautiful new Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2022: Aztecs illustrates Aztec history and mythology in a compelling, vivid manner. With deft engravings and brilliant imagery, the fountain pen’s body tells the tale of Aztec history and its complex and fascinating mythology .

Technically, the Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states (called altepetl in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs)— Tenochtitlán, Texcoco and Tlapocan—which ensured that the Aztec people held formidable power.

In the Aztec creation story, the first god to emerge from the void was Ometeõtl, who, although genderless, gave birth to the Four Brothers. The Northern Firmament was held up by Tezcatlipoca, the Black Brother, a sorcerer god and god of the night, while the South was clasped by the Blue Brother, Huitzilopochtli, god of war and sacrifice. The West was held by the White Brother, Quetzalcoatl, also known as the Feathered Serpent, god of light, mercy, and the winds. The East was the realm of the Red Brother, Xipe Totec, god of gold, agriculture, and spring. (Nota bene: Aztec mythology was complex and there exist different variations of each story.)

The Aztec god Huitzilopochtli and carving of Quetzalcoatl at the ruins of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City, Mexico.